Dateline: Who was accused in Rachel Owens' "attempted murder" case from 2014? Details explored 

In 2014, a case shocked a quiet neighborhood in Maine and ultimately captured the attention of Dateline. Rachel Owens was shot more than once while she slept at her friend's home and was found with serious injuries.

At first, it appeared to be a terrifying invasion of the home. But the truth turned out to be much worse. Rachel's survival was a miracle. What would follow would be an extensive investigation that revealed lies, betrayals, and a double life.

The man who was eventually accused of the attempted murder case wasn’t a stranger. He was her husband, a respected military man named Gregory Owens. As Dateline later revealed in its coverage, this was a calculated crime fueled by secrets.

With the help of phone data, surveillance footage, and testimony from Rachel herself, the shocking truth came to light. Let’s explore how Dateline broke down the case and exposed the person behind this near-fatal act.

Keep reading for a deep dive into this case.

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Dateline's investigation revealed a husband's deadly secret

In the early hours of December 18, 2014, Rachel Owens was shot three times while sleeping in a basement guest room at a friend’s house in Saco, Maine. Another person in the house was also injured.

But oddly, nothing was stolen, and there were no signs of forced entry. This led detectives to believe the attack was personal, not random. As Dateline later uncovered, Gregory Owens, Rachel’s husband, quickly became the prime suspect.

A respected Army veteran from New Hampshire, he had a clean public image. But behind closed doors, he had been carrying on a long-term affair with a woman in Wisconsin. He had lied to her, claiming that his marriage was over.

But in reality, he was still living with Rachel, who was suffering from early-onset dementia. The turning point came just two weeks before the shooting, when Gregory’s mistress discovered the truth and ended the relationship.

Prosecutors argued that Gregory viewed Rachel as the one person standing in the way of his affair and decided to eliminate her. Later, investigators found surveillance footage, cell tower data, and emails that painted a clear picture.

Gregory left home late that night, drove to Maine, and carried out the shooting himself. His alibi, claiming he had been working all night, didn’t match up with the evidence.

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Dateline highlights how justice caught up with Gregory Owens

The case took a major turn when forensic evidence tied the bullets and the weapon back to Gregory. Even more damning, his phone data placed him near the crime scene during the time of the attack. Dateline highlighted how this digital trail became one of the key tools used to catch him.

Emails between Gregory and his mistress also added weight to the case. After the shooting, he warned her to stop contacting anyone and claimed he was being watched due to military work.

But investigators saw right through the lies. His actions weren’t the result of a mission. He had tried to cover up an attempted murder. Rachel Owens, despite suffering critical injuries and memory issues, bravely testified during the trial.

Her account of that night and her relationship with Gregory helped solidify the prosecution’s case. In 2016, Gregory Owens was convicted in federal court of interstate domestic violence and using a firearm during a violent crime.

He was sentenced to life in prison, plus 20 years. His appeal was denied. As Dateline detailed, the trial exposed not only the facts of the crime but also the emotional weight of betrayal. This wasn’t just an act of violence.

It was a planned attack by someone who was supposed to protect her. Rachel Owens proved to be strong after enduring the horrifying attack and received justice.

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